Taiwan Taipei Mission

Taiwan Taipei Mission

Monday, October 19, 2015

Lessons Learned

FAMILY AND FRIENDS!!

What a week this has been. I have
learned so much. To be honest,
this wasn't the easiest week--its was actually pretty challenging work
wise. Sister Coleman and I got canceled on/stood up 11 times the first
three days of this week. We didn't understand why. But, we both kept a
really positive attitude and just kept thinking, "What does Heavenly
Father want us to learn from this?" The last few days of the week was
when all the miracles came--we ended the week on a great note!! I am so
grateful for these weeks and days that are sometimes a bit more
challenging. I mean, if we didn't have challenges and hard days, we
wouldn't know what happiness, joy, and the good times are. :)

We
did have some really neat experiences this week. A couple who was
baptized just over a year ago attended the temple for their first time
on Saturday--they were able to do baptisms, took our their own
Endowments, Sealed for time and all eternity, and their 2 year old son
was also sealed to them. Us missionaries, unfortunately didn't receive
permission to attend their sealing but Sister Coleman and I went over
Friday night to share one more message with them before they went up to
Taipei. We shared with them this video that has pictures of multiple
temples inside and out and then as the Temple Celebration for the
Ukraine Temple. What a neat spirit that was brought into the room. This
last year has not been easy for the Gao Family. They have had many
challenges and trials but they overcame them all and they were able to partake and participate in a very important ordinance on Saturday. Neat,
was that Bro. Gao said Friday night how smoothly Friday had gone and
they were surprised but they knew it was a blessing from Heavenly Father
and just another confirmation they were to go to the temple.

A
bitter
sweet moment occurred yesterday at church. After the rest hymn, I came
back to sit by Sister Coleman ( I was asked to play the piano) and she
turned to me and said, "GAO DIXIONG IS HERE!!" We didn't even see him
come in. Gao DiXiong is a new investigator we find who lives up on top
of the mountains in one of the Mountain Tribes. He has no
understanding/very strange understanding of
Heavenly Father or Jesus Christ. When we invited him to church on
Saturday, he agreed to come for 30 minutes because he said that was all
the time that he had. When we called him Sunday morning, about 10
minutes before church was started, he told us he had yet to shower and
wouldn't be able to come. BUT, he surprised us and he was there!! After
asking the Elders after Sacrament Meeting, they said he came in through
the back door right after the meeting started! He was able to partake of
the Sacrament and hear the testimonies of those who went to the Temple
for the First time on Saturday. Even though he might not have fully
understood, this man, Gao DiXiong, truly has a desire to learn, grow,
and he came to church despite the fact he knows nothing. What faith he
has!!! Yes, he only stayed for about 45 minutes but Sister Coleman and I
basically ran after him as he left and told him thanks for coming. He
said he enjoyed it. Sadly, he will be traveling all this week and won't
be home till next week sometime but, we will visit him once he returns
home!

Friday, Sister Coleman and I went and found in
an area a bit farther away. Our area here in YuLi is the largest land
mass wise in the mission but the smallest amount of people :). We went
to a place called DaYu and found in a mountain tribe all day. We had the
opportunity to talk to many people. They were all much older and told
us they couldn't ever change their religion due to traditions but it was
bitter sweet being able to pray with these people and talk to them about
their lives and the blessings they have seen. The very last person we
talked to their was a younger man, who was really willing to listen and
set up an appointment with us this next week.

This week, I really came to cherish the words in Helaman 3:35

35 Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God.

Often
times in our life, we don't know why we are experiencing the things we
do. But, when we learn to align our will with God's our minds will be
opened. When we are faced with challenges and trials, we can ask
ourselves, "What does God want/need me to learn from this?" I know if we
face our trials knowing we can learn something from them and relying on
Heavenly Father's will we will become stronger and become more like our
Savior, Jesus Christ. Heavenly Father will never challenge us more than
we can bare. As we continue to live our lives, we must learn how to
align our will with His. He gives us trials to shape and mold us into
who He knows we have the potential to become. Our Heavenly Father loves
us. He loves us each individually and He knows us each on an individual
basis. Don't ever forget the LOVE He has for YOU!!

I love you all so much!!

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!

Sister Haacke

The Elders found this picture frame! Our Mission theme is "Captained By Christ".

Sister Coleman and I in DaYu.

People working in the Rice Fields.

Our Last Taiwan mango of the season...yes we spent almost $200 for this :( MANGO IS THE BEST!!